Softball Downs Georgia Southern, Falls to UCF to Open 2010 Season

Pictured: Rachel Brown pitched eight scoreless innings for the win against Georgia Southern.
Photo Courtesy: DSPics.com

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Harvard softball team began its 2010 season with a win and a loss to start the University of Central Florida Invitational. The Crimson took down Georgia Southern, 1-0, in eight innings to start the day and fell to host UCF, 9-0, in the afternoon game.

Reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year Rachel Brown picked up where she left off, firing eight scoreless innings and allowing just three hits while striking out 15 in game one. In the bottom of the first extra frame, freshman pinch-runner Ashley Heritage was placed at second base and advanced to third on a sacrifice groundout by Stephanie Krysiak. The next batter, Ellen Macadam, rapped a grounder to short that was bobbled long enough for Heritage to score the winning run. Krysiak, Emily Henderson and Melissa Schellberg all had singles in the win.

Two tough innings proved too much for the Crimson in the afternoon game against UCF. The hosts plated four runs in the third inning and five more in the fourth to take the 9-0 victory in five innings. Freshman Jess Ferri took the loss on the mound in her first collegiate start and Jane Alexander, Jennifer Francis and Whitney Shaw all had hits for Harvard.

The Crimson is back in action tomorrow, taking on Providence at 9 a.m., and the College of Charleston at 11 a.m.